How to delete your BuzzFeed account

About deleting your BuzzFeed account

BuzzFeed is a global media company known for its viral content, interactive quizzes, and news coverage. While it serves as an entertainment hub, registered users may provide significant amounts of personal information, including email addresses, quiz history, social media connections, and interaction logs. Users often choose to delete their accounts to reduce their digital footprint, opt out of aggressive targeted advertising, or move away from the platform's data-driven content recommendation engines.

Deleting your account is a critical step if you no longer wish to engage with BuzzFeed’s personalised experience. Because BuzzFeed relies heavily on third-party tracking pixels to serve tailored advertisements across the web, closing your account can help limit the ongoing collection of your browsing behaviour. Reasons to delete include:

• Preventing the accumulation of quiz results and preference data.
• Reducing the number of marketing emails and newsletters sent to your inbox.
• Limiting the scope of data shared with third-party advertising partners and analytics services.

What happens to your data

When you request account deletion at privacy@buzzfeed.com, BuzzFeed typically initiates a process to remove your identifying information from their active production databases. However, because BuzzFeed operates an complex advertising ecosystem, some data may persist.

• Profile information: Your display name, email address, and account settings are usually wiped from the active user directory.
• Content contributions: Comments or specific user-generated submissions might be anonymised rather than fully purged to maintain the integrity of discussion threads.
• Usage logs: Log data regarding your interactions with quizzes and articles may be retained in aggregated, non-identifiable forms for business intelligence.
• Advertising data: While your profile is deleted, cookies and tracking identifiers associated with your browser might still function until you clear your cache or use a browser-based tracker blocker.

Privacy considerations

BuzzFeed’s business model is largely supported by programmatic advertising, meaning your engagement with the site is monetised through data collection. Users should be aware that BuzzFeed often shares metadata with platforms like Facebook or Google when you use social login features.

• Use privacy-focused browsers or extensions like uBlock Origin to prevent trackers from following you after you leave the site.
• Revoke app permissions in your Facebook or Google settings if you used 'Sign in with' features to create your BuzzFeed account.
• If you choose not to delete your account, regularly visit the Privacy Policy page to manage your cookie preferences and opt-out of interest-based advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my BuzzFeed account through the app?

No, there is currently no 'delete account' button within the BuzzFeed mobile application. You must send a direct email to privacy@buzzfeed.com to initiate the deletion process.

Do I need to delete my quizzes separately?

Quiz results are tied to your account profile. By deleting your account, these associations are severed, but any public comments left on articles may remain unless you delete them individually before closing your account.

Will deleting my account stop BuzzFeed newsletters?

Deleting your account should stop the emails associated with your registration. If you still receive marketing communications, ensure you click the 'Unsubscribe' link found at the bottom of those emails.

What should I include in my deletion email?

To ensure your request is processed quickly, provide the email address used to sign up and clearly state that you wish to have your personal data permanently deleted from their servers.

How long does it take for BuzzFeed to process my request?

While there is no fixed timeline, you should generally expect a response or confirmation within a few business days. If you do not hear back, it is advisable to follow up with a polite reminder.